Little Ghost Enigma

Dendrophylax Little Ghost is a hybrid between Dendrophylax sallei x Dendrophylax lindenii registered by Roy Tokunaga in 2020. (Ddx. sallei used as seed bearing plant is assumably because it is easier in cultivation, perhaps). There is a lot of confusion distinguishing between Ddx. lindenii and Ddx. Little Ghost (because a lot of Little Ghost were in the market last year, and are easier to grow than lindenii). The difference is very subtle, it is not in the length of the spur but the shape and angle of its sidelobes.

Ddx. Little Ghost, close up
Ddx. Little Ghost at Tainan WOC 2024 exhibited by Jiaho, one of the judges think it is Ddx. sallei

There is a good dichotomous key from Symbolae Antillanae,seu, Fundamenta florae Indiae Occidentalis v.6 (1909-1910) page 677-681. A century ago they still use genus Polyrrhiza, before everything moved to Dendrophylax, including some Campylocentrum too.

on page 678 part II there is this line on the dichotomous key:

II. Labelli lobus terminalis in lobulos elongatos angustissimos longe acuminatos divisus; lobi laterales e basi distantes

  • A. Labelli lobi laterales obtusanguli, minuti interdum inconspicui, apice rotundati; lobuli terminales elongati, 6-nervulosi. 482. Polyrrhiza lindenii Cogn.
    • The lateral lobes of the labellum are obtuse, sometimes minute and inconspicuous, with a rounded apex; the terminal lobes are elongate, 6-nerved. 482. Polyrrhiza lindenii
  • B. Labelli lobi laterales acutanguli, elongati, acutiusculi vel obtusi; lobuli terminales longissimi, 4-nervulosi. 483. Polyrrhiza Sallei Cogn.
    • Lateral lobes of the labellum acute-angled, elongate, more acute or obtuse; terminal lobes very long, 4-nerved. 483. Polyrrhiza sallei

So, here I am pointing out the differences on this photo below:

Once you see it you can’t unsee it. Thanks for reading!

Cheers, Elbert.

XCIV. Polyrrhiza Pfitz.

Pfitz. in Engl. und Prantl, Nat. Pflanzenfam. II. 6 (1889) p. 215. – Dendrophylax (part.) Benth. et Hook. Gen. III p. 585.

Sepala subaequalia, libera, patentia vel reflexa. Petala sepalis similia. Labellum ad basin columnae sessile, erectum, basi in calcar longissimum os versus dilatatum productum, cum columna continuum; lobi laterales basilares, breves interdum subobsoleti, erecti, medius amplus profunde bilobulatus, disco inferne tenuiter carinato. Columna brevissima, lata, apoda, apice antice bialata; clinandrium parum prominulum, truncatum. Anthera terminalis, opercularis, incumbens, convexa, antice truncata, bilocularis; pollinia 2, cerea, subglobosa, sulcata, inappendiculata, anthera dehiscente stipitibus 2 distinctis planis oblongis vel cuneatis affixa, glandula squamiformi unica vel bipartibili. Capsula elongata, erostris, angulata. Herbae epiphyticae, aphyllae, Indiae occidentalis et Floridae incolae, radicibus dense fasciculatis, pseudobulbo nullo. Scapi tenues, simplices, vaginis parvis dissitis. Flores in scapo solitarii vel pauci racemosi, maximi vel rarius mediocres. Bracteae parvae.

Conspectus specierum.

I. Labelli lobus terminalis in lobulos breves latos obtusos vel rotundatos divisus, lobi laterales basilares.

  • A. Sepala petalaque oblongo-lanceolata, 5-7 nervia; labellum sepalis aequilongum vel paulo longius, lobulis terminalibus divaricatis.
    • 1. Sepala petalaque carnosula, obtusa, 7-nervia; labellum sepalis aequilongum, lobo terminali 7-9 nervio. 479. Polyrrhiza funalis Pfitz.
    • 2. Sepala petalaque submembranacea, acuta, 5-nervia; labellum sepalis distincte longius, lobo terminali 11-nervio. 480. Polyrrhiza fawcetti Cogn.
  • B. Sepala ovata, tenuiter membranacea, 3-nervia; petala 1-nervulosa; labellum sepalis subduplo longius, lobulis terminalibus subcontiguis. 481. Polyrrhiza gracilis Cogn.

II. Labelli lobus terminalis in lobulos elongatos angustissimos longe acuminatos divisus; lobi laterales e basi distantes

  • A. Labelli lobi laterales obtusanguli, minuti interdum inconspicui, apice rotundati; lobuli terminales elongati, 6-nervulosi. 482. Polyrrhiza lindenii Cogn.
  • B. Labelli lobi laterales acutanguli, elongati, acutiusculi vel obtusi; lobuli terminales longissimi, 4-nervulosi. 483. Polyrrhiza sallei Cogn.

479. Polyrrhiza funalis (Sw.) Pfitz.

Ddx. funalis close up by Prem Subrahmanyam
radicibus numerosis, longissimis, robustis, rigidis; pedunculo communi erecto vel ascendente, satis gracili, saepius bifloro, 5-10 cm. longo; pedicellis cum ovario 3-4 cm. longis; bracteis ochreatis, scariosis, ventricosis, obtusis, 3-4 mm. longis; sepalis petalisque patenti-reflexis, carnosulis (in sicco rigidiusculis), oblongo-lanceolatis, obtusis, 7-nerviis, 16 mm. longis, 5 mm. latis; labello 16-17 mm. longo, lobis basilaribus vix productis, late rotundatis, lobo terminali amplo, breviter angusteque unguiculato, late obcordato-subquadrangulo, 7-9-nervuloso nervulis dichotome ramosis, 21-22 mm. lato, apice profundiuscule bilobulato, lobulis divaricatis obtusis, disco inferne crista gracillima longitudinaliter canaliculata apice dilatata instructo, calcari subrecto, obtuso, 2.5-4 cm. longo, basi 4-5 mm. et ad medium 1.5 mm. crasso; columna 1 mm. longa, alis anguste triangularibus, obtusis, 2 mm. longis; capsula 6-7 cm. longa, 6-8 mm. crassa.

Polyrrhiza funalis Pfitz. in Engl. und Prantl, Nat. Pflanzenfam. II. 6 (1889) p. 215 fig. 227 H, J.
Epidendrum funale Sw. Prodr. (1788) p. 126.
Limodorum funale Sw. III (1806) p. 1521.
Oeceoelades funalis Lindl. Gen. and Sp. Oreh. (1833) p. 237.
Trichocentrum funale Lindl. in Bot. Reg. XXIII (1837) sub’t. 1951.
Angraecum funale Lindl. in Gard. Chron. 1846 p. 135; Bot. Mag. (1847) t. 4295.
Aeranthus funalis Rchb.f. in Walp. Ann. VI (1864) p. 902.
Dendrophylax funalis Benth. ex Rolfe in Gard. Chron. ser. 3. IV (1888) p. 533.

Flores suaveolentes, sepalis petalisque pallide viridibus, labello albo. Fl. et fr. II, III.
Hab. in Jamaica supra truncos vetustos in montibus: Swartz, Macnab, Purdie, Wilson n. 163, Morris n. 2330, prope The Grove, Hosse Mines alt. 250 m.: W. Harris in Herb. Bot. Dep. n. 5655, 7763, 8105.

480. Polyrrhiza Fawcetti (Rolfe) Cogn.

Ddx. fawcetii close up by Peter T. Lin

radicibus numerosis, longissimis, robustis, flexuosis; pedunculo robusto, 5 cm. interdum usque 55 cm. longo; floribus albo-viridibus, segmentis submembranaceis (in sicco mollibus); sepalis petalisque patenti-reflexis, oblongo-lanceolatis, acutis, 5-nervulosis, 27-28 mm. longis, 8 mm. latis; labello 32 mm. longo, lobis basilaribus paulo productis, late rotundatis, lobo terminali amplo, latiuscule breviterque unguiculato, late obcordato, obscure quadrangulo, 11-nervuloso nervulis dichotome ramosis, 36 —37 mm. lato, apice profunde bilobulato, lobulis divergentibus rotundatis, disco inferne crista gracili tenuiter canaliculata apice dilatata instructo, calcari subrecto, usque 17 cm. longo, apice 10-11 mm. ad medium 2 mm. crasso; columna 1.5 mm. longa, alis anguste triangularibus, obtuse acuminatis, 4 mm. longis.

Dendrophylax Fawcetti Rolfe! in Gard. Chron. ser. 3. IV (1888) p. 533; Millsp. Pl. Utow. p. 32.

Hab. in ins. Cayman: W. Fawcett; Grand Cayman in arboribus inter Bodden Bay et Spot Bay: Millspauph.

481. Polyrrhiza gracillis Cogn. (n. sp.)

radicibus satis numerosis, longiusculis, gracillimis, flexuosis; pedunculo subfiliformi, brevi, unifloro, floribus mediocribus, segmentis (in sicco) tenuiter membranaceis; sepalis patentibus, anguste elliptico-ovatis, 3-nervulosis, dorsali apice rotundato, lateralibus obtusis multo longioribus; petalis ligulatis, obtusis, 1-nervulosis, sepalo dorsali subaequilongis; labello sepalis lateralibus subduplo longiore, lobis basilaribus leviter productis, late rotundatis, lobo terminali amplo, latiuscule et breviuscule unguiculato, suborbiculari-obcordato, 7 -nervuloso nervulis dichotome ramosis, apice profunde angusteque emarginato, lobulis subcontiguis, oblique subrotundatis, disco inferne crista gracili longiuscula inferne dilatata instructo, calcari angusto, obtuso, sepalis lateralibus duplo longiore; columna brevissima, alis paulo distinctis; anthera antice emarginata.

Aeranthus funalis Griseb.! Cat. (1866) p. 264 (nomen, non Rchb.f.); Sauv. Fl. Cub. p. 229 (nomen).

Radices dense fasciculatae, angulato-sulcatae, 2-3 dm. longae, 1-1.25 mm. crassae. Pedunculus plus minusve patulus, leviter flexuosus, vaginis 2-3 obtusis 1-2.5 mm. longis vestitus, 3-4 cm. longus, 0.5 mm. crassus. Sepala leviter concava, dorsale 5 – 5.5 mm. longum, 3 mm. latum, lateralia leviter falcata, 8.5-9 mm. longa, 4 mm. lata. Petala patula, paulo obliqua, 5 mm. longa, 2 mm. lata. Labellum erectum, 16 mm. longum, lobo terminali plano, 18 mm. lato, unguiculo 4 mm. lato; calcari pendulo, subrecto, 18 mm. longo, basi 2.5-3 mm. ad medium 0.75 mm. crasso. Columna vix 1 mm. longa. Capsula paulo arcuata, acutiuscule crasseque 6-costata, basi acuta, 3 cm. longa, 3 mm. crassa.

Flores albi. Fl. X; fr. III.

Hab. in Cuba supra arbores ad Los Hondones prope Valparaiso; Wright n. 3300 et sine n.

482. Polyrrhiza Lindenii (Lindl) Cogn.

Ddx. lindenii close up by Denis Le Pape

radicibus numerosis, elongatis, robustis, tortuosis; pedunculo robustiusculo, 1-paucifloro,
6-15 cm. longo; bracteis ochreatis, obtusis, 5— 7 mm. longis; sepalis lineari-ligulatis, abrupte acutis, 7-nervulosis, 5 mm. latis, dorsali patenti-recurvo, 19-21 mm. longo, lateralibus patentibus, 23-25 mm. longis; petalis patenti-recurvis, lineari-ligulatis, obtusis, 5-7 nervulosis, 21-24 mm. longis, 5 mm. latis; labello sepalis multo longiore, inferne late ligulato, infra medium trilobato, lobis lateralibus obtusangulis, minutis vel interdum paulo distinctis, apice rotundatis, lobo terminali valde producto, profunde bifido et in sinu minute apiculato, segmentis divaricatis, lineari-ligulatis, longe acuminatis, tortuosis, 6-nervulosis, 4-5 cm. longis, disco inferne carina crassa longiuscula antice dilatata instructo, caleari leviter flexuoso, apice longe attenuato, 10— 11.5 cm. longo, ad medium 1.5, mm. crasso; columna crassa, 3 mm. longa, alis triangularibus, acutis; capsula subrecta, crassiuscule 6-costata, 5-8 cm. longa, 5-mm. crassa.

Angraecum Lindenii Lindl. in. Gard. Chron. (1846) p. 135, Orch. Linden. (1846) p. 12; A. Rich. in. Sagra, Cub. XI p. 243.
Aeranthus Lindenii Rchb.f. in Walp. Ann. VI (1864) p. 902; Griseb.! Cat. p. 264; Sauv. Fl. Cub. p. 229.
Dendrophylax Lindenii Benth. ex. Rolfe in. Gard. Chron. ser. 3. IV (1888) p. 533; Ames, Orch. I p. 59 t. 16.

Flores suaveolentes, sepalis petalisque viridi-flavescentibus, labello albo. Fl. III, VI, IX; fr. III.
Hab. in Cuba supra arbores in sylvis densis ad Sagua et Nimanima prope Santiago, ad San André: Linden sine n., Wright n. 3303. – Florida.

483. Polyrrhiza Sallei (Rchb.f) Cogn.

Ddx. sallei close up by Francisco Alba
radicibus numerosis, longissimis, robustis, paulo flexuosis; pedunculo robustiusculo, ascendente vel pendulo, 1-paucifloro, 10-15 cm. longo; pedicellis cum
ovario 3-5 cm. longis; bracteis late ovatis, obtusis, leviter ventricosis, basi amplexicaulibus, 3-6 mm. longis; sepalis lineari-ligulatis, obtusis, 7-nerviis, patenti-reflexis, 26-35 mm. longis, 7-8 mm. latis; petalis patentibus, lineari-ligulatis, apice rotundatis, 5-7 -nervulosis, 22-28 mm. longis, 6-7 mm. latis; labello sepalis multo longiore, inferne late ligulato satis ventricoso, infra medium trilobato, lobis lateralibus acutangulis, elongatis, triangulari-ligulatis, acutiusculis vel obtusis, lobo terminali valde producto, profunde bifido et in sinu interdum apiculato, segmentis inferne divergentibus superne convergentibus, anguste lineari-ligulatis, longissime acuminatis, flexuosis, 4-nervulosis, 8— 22 cm. longis, diseo inferne tenuiter carinato, calcari arcuato vel leviter flexuoso, obtuso, 9-12 cm. longo, ad medium 1.5-2 mm. crasso; columma crassa, 4 mm. longa, alis anguste triangularibus, acutiusculis; capsula paulo arcuata, acutiuscule 6-costata,
8.5-9 cm. longa, 10-12 mm. crassa.

Aeranthus Sallei Rchb.f. in. Walp. Ann. VI (1864) p. 902.
Dendrophylax Sallei Benth. ex. Rolfe in. Gard. Chron. ser. 3. IV. (1888) p. 533.

Flores albi. Fl. V, VII, VIII; fr. VII.
Hab. in Haiti supra arbores ad Pérodin, in rupibus umbrosis ad Uturguel prope Dondon 500 m. alt: Picarda n. 1639, P. E. Christ n. 2025; Sto. Domingo: Sallé ex Rchb.f, in arboribus ad Constanza alt. 1190 m.: H. von Türckheim n. 3281.

Genus: Dendrophylax Rchb.f.

15 Accepted Species: